London, United Kingdom, and Montréal, QC, Canada, March 21st 2016 – Harm Reduction International (HRI) and The Association des intervenants en dépendance du Québec (AIDQ), with the support of the Direction de la santé publique (DSP) of the Healthcare and Social Services Ministry (Québec) and Tourisme Montréal, are pleased to announce that the 25th International Harm Reduction Conference will be hosted in Montréal from May 14th to 17th 2017.

Held once every two years in a different country around the world, the International Harm Reduction Conference has become the global focal point for knowledge-sharing, networking and promoting best practice in the field of harm reduction. The conference is attended by up to 1000 delegates from over 70 countries, including medical and policy experts, harm reduction practitioners, campaigners, and people who use drugs.

For Québec, and for Canada as a whole, this major event will be an exceptional opportunity for local, regional and national community groups, healthcare and social services stakeholders, and the wider population, to learn about progress and innovation around the world, and to share their own expertise and experience with a global audience.

2017 is a notable year for Montréal, as the city will be celebrating its 375th anniversary.

Having an insight into the setting, Villa Maraini (Rome, Italy), which one might say is a “paradise for people who use drugs”, would help to understand the context in which a 3-day study tour for harm reduction workers, organised by EHRN, took place in mid-November. The foundation was established by Massimo Barra under the Italian branch of the Red Cross and offers various programs for people who use drugs, especially problematic heroin users. The Villa, placed in the centre of a beautiful garden and park provides various services such as methadone substitution therapy, health clinic, therapeutic community, drop-in shelter, HIV/HCV test point, etc. This year, Villa Maraini celebrated 40 years of harm reduction activities. Continue reading